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The partners behind popular ramen and izakaya bar Daikaya have assumed control of the storied space next door, signing a lease to take over the Graffiato space vacated by bankrupt chef Mike Isabella.
Washington City Paper broke the news about the Daikaya group’s new lease (707 6th Street NW) on Wednesday, which Eater has confirmed. Graffiato, Isabella’s first restaurant and Italian flagship, shuttered last summer as his restaurant group began unraveling in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. WCP reports the Daikaya group has no plans for the new space yet but is excited to have another property so close to Capital One Arena.
The restaurant group is also preparing to open Hatoba, a Sapporo-style ramen shop in Navy Yard. It has more ramen roots in Chinatown with Bantam King as well as Haikan in Shaw.
Partners Daisuke Utagawa, chef Katsuya Fukushima, and Yama Jewayni’s original, 40-seat ramen bar has consistently drawn large lines since its anticipated opening in 2013.
Graffiato’s setup fit 130 seats, but it’s unclear what kind of layout Daikaya will go with across the 4,100-square-foot expansion space.
The group, which works extensively with in-demand restaurant designer Edit Lab at Streetsense, will announce plans for its look and estimated opening time soon. Daikaya recently upped its cocktail program with the promotion of Monica Lee to beverage director. The veteran mixologist, formerly of Petworth Citizen and Dupont’s soon-to-close Sheppard speakeasy, plays up Japanese sake, shochu, whisky, and beer in her new post.
Graffiato’s prime Chinatown space was plagued with rent-related woes leading up to its demise, causing landlord Douglas Development to sue for more than $28,000 in alleged unpaid rent and other fees, Washingtonian reported. Eater reached out to Douglas for an update on the lawsuit.
A block over, Douglas recently lost a tenant due to sky-high rents and insufficient sales. Philadelphia stir-fry chain Honeygrow’s 2,200-square-foot location (716 7th Street NW), which cost around $200 per square foot, closed in late 2018.
In late 2017 Chinatown also said goodbye to year-old Jewish deli and ice cream sandwich shop On Rye after just a year of business.
